CHEESE FOR STRESS

Since we are into October with November and December not very far away, how about a solution to holiday stress? Most people tend to feel stress during the holidays with so many little details to deal with. However. am easy solution to some of that stress could be as simple as grabbing an ooey-gooey cheesy treat. Would you believe a review of 65 studies suggests enjoying one or two servings of full-fat dairy daily can halve the risk of blue moods and even chronic stress. If you are wondering how, here is the explanation given. A unique compound in dairy fat, known as trans-palmitoleic acid, helps prevent anxiety-triggering blood-sugar lows and dairy's rich stores of tryptophan which is an amino acid the brain uses to produce mood-steadying hormones. Notice that is full-fat not low-fat. By the way, I also had a doctor specializing in diabetes say that diabetics should eat full-fat dairy daily.

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LOOKING FOR A GOOD NIGHTTIME SNACK?

Are you often wondering, "What is a good nighttime snack?"  Ian S. Katznelson, M.D., a neurologist and sleep physician at Northwestern Medicine, is often ask a version of this question. According to Dr. Katznelson, there is no magic bullet or single food holds the key to better sleep. He continues that certain foods can promote sleep so her recommends we pick foods that contain nutrients and compounds know to promote sleep for that late night snacking.

The first is tryptophan, an essential amino acid the body uses to make serotonin. Serotonin plays a role in how well we sleep and how long we sleep. But the body doesn't make tryptophan on its own. Therefore, we must get it in our diets. Here is a list of foods that are good sources of tryptophan; turkey, big surprise there. How many times has the family wanted a nap after a big turkey meal? Others are chicken, fish, eggs, cheese, edamame, peanuts, tofu, quinoa, pumpkin seeds, etc.

Tomorrow's post will feature more info about sleep and late-night snack.

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WARM MILK TO INDUCE SLEEP

If you have trouble getting to sleep at night you might want to try some warm milk. Sometimes we think these ideas are old wives tales but there is a valid reason warm milk induces sleep. Milk contains tryptophan, an amino acid that the body converts to melatonin  and serotonin. Melatonin induces sleep and serotonin calms the brain. So go ahead and have some warm milk before bedtime it really may help you get to sleep.

EATING TO CONTROL STRESS - PART 3

Today I am continuing to write about eating to control stress. Our society seems to be stressed to the max and some of that may be due to the fact that we grab quick meals, often fast food and we may not be eating properly in our stressed out state. Have you ever noticed that everyone feels rather lazy after the Thanksgiving meal? We usually blame it on eating too much, which we usually have to admit we actually did. But that may not the be reason we feel so relaxed. Turkey has an abundance of tryptophan, discussed in the previous articles, so after consuming a good amount of turkey most people find their mood has improved, they have less anxiety, and a reduced craving for carbs. This is due to a surge in serotonin and not only does it make us less stressed, eating turkey helps to build muscles. So don't save turkey just for the holidays. Enjoy it on a year-round basis especially if you need to destress.

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EATING TO CONTROL STRESS

Yes, what you eat can have an effect on your level of stress. Medical research has shown that low serotonin, the chemical in our brains that regulates emotion, may be the main cause of anxiety and depression. Nutritionist DeAnna D. Irving has said that the serototin levels in the body can be depleted by stress and poor health if one isn't eating right. Serotonin is not found in food but is released into the bloodstream after the digestion of tryptophan, Vitamin B or Omega-3 fatty acids. Feeling a little stressed out? Try adding some of the foods that have large amounts of the previously mentioned nutrients to raise your serotonin levels without medication. One such food is Spinach. Spinach has high levels of vitamin B6 which helps to increase both energy and serotin levels. When you increase your energy and serotonin levels that can lead to better moods and overall better health. Don't like spinach? Avocado, brown rice, green peas, and collard greens are also rich in vitamin B6.

We will have more posts on Stress and Nutrition this week.

SOME BENEFITS OF BANANAS

Here are some facts about bananas of which you may not be aware.  Consider these facts:

• Bananas have 2Xs as many (good) carbs as an apple
• Bananas have 5Xs as much iron and vitamin A as an apple
• Bananas have 3Xs as much phosphorus as an apple
• Bananas are rich in potassium 
• Bananas have natural sugar
• Bananas are a great source of natural energy because of the rich amounts of vitamins and minerals
• Bananas can boost your mood because they contain mood-controlling  tryptophan
• A Banana at lunch is good for students as the potassium in bananas can boost brain power and alertness

These are just a few of the benefits of bananas you may not be aware of.  Unless you have an allergy or other health reasons why you should not, include bananas in your diet on a regular basis.

PUMPKIN SEEDS FOR HAPPINESS

Pumpkin seeds are packed with the amino acid tryptophan.  Tryptophan is used by the brain to make serotonin, known as the "happiness chemical."  Have the munchies?  Nibble on some pumpkin seeds, especially if you have the munches because you are nervous or have the blues. As little as one ounce can make a difference!